July 2016 Dear AIA|San Diego Members:

Now that we’ve passed the half-way mark of 2016, it’s a good time to provide an update on some of our accomplishments so far this year and draw your attention to the busy calendar of events scheduled for the next six months.

Overall, the Chapter has had an excellent year so far. Membership growth has seen an steady increase from its low-point of a few years ago. Also, Chapter revenues have risen with income from programs, advertising and sponsorships that continue to augment the backbone of our finances, your annual dues (thank you!).

Highlights to date include a steady line-up of professional development workshops and site visits, many free of charge or low cost and almost all eligible for continuing education credit. As was the case in 2015, AIA|San Diego expects to operate a large number of these programs, enabling most members to complete their annual CE requirements (18 hours total, 12 of which must be health, safety & welfare eligible) conveniently and affordably.

Our annual Large Firm Roundtable at the end of February offered an opportunity for our largest member-firms to engage on topics of regional & state-wide interest, with a particular emphasis this year on the issues of housing affordability in California as well as advocacy directed at state elected officials on behalf of architects. to The Roundtable was attended by our AIA California Council representatives Paul Welch, Mark Christian, and Kurt Cooknick, who provided updates on key state initiatives affecting our shared profession. A highlight of the meeting was Deanna Spehn, policy advisor to State Assembly-Speaker Toni Atkins, who offered great insights into housing affordability, climate action, and other hot policy issues at the State level.

Early in the year, we welcomed Marvin Malecha, FAIA to San Diego as the new President and Chief Academic Officer of NewSchool of Architecture and Design. Mr. Malecha, who came here following his 21-year tenure as Dean at NC State College of Design, was also, as you may recall, the AIA National President in 2008-2009. His addition the design community’s local leadership will pay dividends for years to come.

The collaboratively produced, Second Annual Architecture, Design & Build Career Fair in Balboa Park in early March has cemented the event as the preeminent opportunity for our members to engage with prospective employees and for job-seekers to connect with the region’s leading firms at a time when opportunities in the San Diego market have rarely been better.

The Chapter remains deeply committed to serving the needs of our emerging professionals. An active group of aspiring licensees meets at our offices each week to prepare for licensure examinations. A new development this year, the Integrated Path to Architecture Licensing (IPAL) promises to reduce significantly the time (and expense) it takes to receive a license. You will soon see more information about this initiative. NewSchool is one of 14 nationally enrolled in the initial trial, kicking-off this fall.

Two years ago, the Chapter revived the annual Lifetime Achievement Award program. A committee of esteemed FAIA’s review prospective candidates and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors. This year, the committee has been hard at work and we’ll soon learn more about the 2016 honorees.

Speaking of honorees, we were pleased and proud to announce the elevation this winter of Jennifer Luce as the Chapter’s newest FAIA. Congratulations!

Among the more important events of the winter was an agreement by the AIA|Palomar board of directors to contract with AIA|San Diego to provide administrative services for AIA’s North County San Diego component, significantly narrowing a 10-year gap between the two organizations. Recently, a joint board-event was hosted by the La Jolla Historical Society at the Wisteria Cottage and the relationship promises to blossom further in the years to come.

The AIA|SD board of directors was well represented at the May AIA National Convention in Philadelphia. Robert Ivy, FAIA EVP/Chief Executive Officer of AIA National joined our executive committee for lunch not too long ago and we were heartened by the energy and ambition the national offices harbors for the organization, generally and in California, the state with the most members and chapters, in particular.

Several member-engagement events marked the calendar in the first six months including our most successful golf tournament in many years (in cooperation with CSI|San Diego), a large group of members who attended the stimulating Buckminster Fuller play at the Lyceum Horton Plaza and Barkitecture 2016, hosted at the Stella Public House at Fault Line Park and featuring innovative dog house designs. The Chapter’s Emerging Professionals Commission, David Garcia, Assoc. AIA has organized several events aiming at drawing this important cohort more closely into the Chapter.

The Chapter recently joined a consortium of organizations, called Housing You Matters, attempting to make a difference in the area of housing affordability by identifying and advocating for the mitigation of regulatory and administrative barriers to residential development in the county. Your member input is welcome. Contact Chapter VP Phil Bona for more information. You can find is contact information in our new 2016/17 Chapter Directory.

I’d like to mention several of our very active committees, that together provide effective and enjoyable ways for members to get involved: Women in Architecture, the Urban Design Committee, the Committee on the Environment, the Custom Residential Architects Network|San Diego, the Preservation Committee and the Long Range Planning Committee have all been very active in the first half of this year.

Looking forward, the calendar is even busier; make sure you save the following dates (see the Chapter website for details and registration links).

July 27, the 10^th annual AIA|Palomar Industry Mixer (in cooperation with AIA|SD) is scheduled at the Bernardo Winery. There’s still time to advance-register for this free event;
August 2, AIA|San Diego is launching a 7-building tour series featuring high-performing projects that participated in SDG&E’s Savings By Design program;
The Chapter’s 2016 Annual Meeting of Members is scheduled for September 22;
The 3^rd annual Archtoberfest kicks-off on October 1 and features more than 65 events including the AIA|San Diego annual Design Awards on October 27 at The Scripps Research Institute Auditorium. Note that design award submissions page is now “live”;
November 16 is the date for the ceremony recognizing the 2016 honorees for the Robert Mosher Lifetime Achievement Award, scheduled at the San Diego History Center;
The year will wind-up with the annual Holiday Gathering on December 15.

On behalf of my fellow board members, committee chairs and avid volunteers, thanks for your membership and support. The Chapter strives to fulfill its mission to promote and protect the interests of its members while making substantial contributions to the future of our great community.

All the best over the summer. I look forward to seeing many of you at one or more of our many upcoming programs and events.

D Stewart